Brandon Cooper never quite convinces

I kept coming back to Brandon Cooper's choices here, especially in the smaller beats. Several choices feel too broad for what the scene seems to require. The performance is functional, but it does not leave much after the scene ends. It is not a careless performance, but it feels under-shaped. The work never fully settles into the rhythm of the movie. My reaction is mainly about this specific film, not a judgement on the performer overall.